Egypt’s Islamist President Mohamed Morsi named outgoing irrigation minister Hisham Qandil, a reputed independent, as prime minister on Tuesday and tasked him with forming a new government. The appointment comes 25 days after Morsi was sworn in as Egypt’s first civilian and freely elected head of state to replace president Hosni Mubarak, who was driven from office in a popular uprising in February 2011. Qandil was irrigation minister in the outgoing government of Kamal Ganzuri, whom he replaces. “This appointment of a patriotic and independent figure comes after much study and discussion to choose a person able to manage the current scenario,” said Morsi spokesman Yassir Ali. “Dr Qandil had no affiliation to any political party before or after the revolution,” said Ali. After talks with Morsi at the presidency, Qandil thanked the president and called on all forces to help achieve the goals of the revolution. “I want to thank the president of the republic for the trust he has placed in me for this important, heavy and difficult task, and I ask God to help us,” Qandil said. He urged “all political forces and the people of Egypt to support us in this difficult mission … We must exert all efforts to achieve the goals of the revolution.” Qandil stressed that his government would be made up of technocrats and that appointments will “not be based on (political) orientations.” “Competence will be the basis for choosing the ministers,” he said.
